Leading Energy Policy Expert to Launch New UW Center for Law and Energy Resources

April 17, 2013 — Robert Nordhaus, one of the nation’s leading experts on
energy law and policy, will be the inaugural speaker Thursday, April 25, for
the University of Wyoming’s new Center for Law and Energy Resources in the
Rockies.

The event begins with a 5:30 p.m. reception, followed by Nordhaus’
talk at 6:30 p.m. in Room 178 of the UW College of Law Building. It is free and
open to the public.

Nordhaus has been at the forefront of United States energy policy
design and implementation since the 1970s. He served as assistant counsel for the U.S. House of
Representatives, responsible for work on energy, environmental protection and
other matters. He was a member of the Energy Policy and Planning Office in the
Carter White House, and was the first general counsel for the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (formerly the Federal Power Commission). He served as President
Clinton’s general counsel for the Department of Energy.

Additionally,
Nordhaus served as a member of the Electric Power Research Institute’s Advisory
Council. He has written numerous articles and reports on energy and
environmental policy and climate change, including working with the Pew Center
on Global Climate Change and Resources for the Future.

The Center for Law and Energy Resources in the Rockies
(CLERR) provides a focal point for the many energy and natural resources
activities at the UW College of Law. It offers an interdisciplinary approach for
exploring the legal, social, economic, technological and political realities
that affect energy and natural resources policy.

“­Through speakers, conferences, symposia and similar
activities, CLERR provides a platform for engaging in constructive and
meaningful public policy debate and offers the opportunity for robust legal and
policy research,” says Sam Kalen, the center’s director and UW College of Law associate
professor. “CLERR builds on the College of Law’s strong academic programs in
energy, environment and natural resources to provide a wealth of programs to
prepare students to face the nation’s energy future.”

He says this will be accomplished through collaboration with
cross-disciplinary UW programs, such as the School of Energy Resources and the
Helga Otto Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources.

CLERR will be a leader in addressing the region’s most
pressing energy law and policy problems, Kalen says.

“Energy plays a critical role in society, affecting our
economy, national security, international trade and the human and physical
environment,” Kalen says. “These issues are nowhere more acute than in the
Rocky Mountain region, particularly here in Wyoming, which is one of the
nation’s top energy producing states, providing coal, oil, natural gas, uranium
and renewable resources.”

Photo:Robert Nordhaus will be the inaugural speaker for the University
of Wyoming’s new Center for Law and Energy Resources in the Rockies.